Weekend Best Bets: Bonfires, Baking and Butoh

“Digital Cocoons, Political Polarization and the Path Back to Common Ground” – Thursday, 6pm – The Eve Marie Carson Lecture Series and the Hillard Gold ’39 Lecture Series present Frank Bruni, a New York times Op-Ed columnist, best-selling author and UNC alum for a lecture on bridging politics, media, entertainment and higher education. He’ll discuss the ways in which digital technology, the internet and a Balkanization of both news and popular culture have prompted Americans to create, retreat to and hunker down in even smaller, narrower niches that make constructive dialogue more difficult and deprive us of common points of reference and common purpose. Genome Sciences Building, G100 Auditorium, 250 Bell Tower Rd.; Free; honorscarolina.unc.edu

Business Hall of Fame 2015 – Thursday, 6:30-9:30pm – The Chapel-Hill Carrboro Chamber of Commerce will recognize the families and individuals whose business leadership built this community and earned their induction into the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Business Hall of Fame. This year’s honorees include Eva Barnett, Stephen J. Edwards, The Hogan family, Jean Holcomb, Eddie Mann, Ted Seagroves and John Woodard. Celebrate these pioneers with a cocktail hour, dinner and entertainment at this signature black-tie event. The Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro St.; $150; carolinachamber.org

“Umusuna, Memories Before History” – Friday, 8pm – Japanese choreographer, director and designer Ushio Amagatsu and his company Sankai Juku are recognized around the world for their contemporary butoh creations—sublime dance-theater experiences steeped in elegance, technical precision and emotional depth. Influenced by French surrealist theater, German expressionist dance and Japanese forms such as kabuki, the butoh movement philosophy arose from Japan’s experimental performances of the 1960s. In an ever-unfolding, color-saturated landscape, the monumental Umusuna delves into the mystery of the creation of the world—a mystery that has haunted mankind since the beginning. Memorial Hall, 114 E. Cameron Ave.; $19; carolinaperformingarts.org

Orange County Artists Guild Open Studio Tour – Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday, noon-5pm – More than 80 artists will open their studios to show off their work and talk with visitors about what they do. See a variety of works of art from sculptures and paintings to ceramics and glass. Visit the website to download a map and plan your route. orangecountyartistsguild.com

Learn to Homebrew Day – Saturday, noon – Fifth Season Gardening’s brewmaster Ethan Johnston will be brewing side-by-side extract and all-grain batches of a simple American Pale Ale recipe using one of the industry’s newest aroma hops and a range of equipment, including a top-of-the-line Blichmann brew kettle. Learn about different brewing methods, ingredients, and equipment and then take home the recipe and all the knowledge and supplies you need to get started brewing. Psst! Enjoy 15% off all homebrew equipment kits. 106 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro; Free; fifthseasongardening.com

Beer Extravaganza – Saturday, 1pm – Enjoy an afternoon sampling craft beers from local and national breweries and snacks from an array of artisanal food vendors. Stick around until 4pm to see who will place in the Home Brew contest! 201 S. Estes Dr.; $10 in advance, $14 at the door; southernseason.com

International Jump Rope Spectacular Show – Saturday, 7pm – Top jumpers from around the world will perform amazing feats of athletic skill that fuse double-dutch jump rope with hip hop dance and gymnastics on one stage. East Chapel Hill High School, 500 Weaver Dairy Rd.; $10; bouncingbulldogs.org

Rosanna Pansino – Saturday, 7pm – Celebrate the release of this popular internet baker’s newest cookbook, “Nerdy Nummies”. The cookbook showcases Pansino’s original and popular creations with each recipe including easy-to-follow photo instructions and a stunning beauty shot of the finished treat! McIntyre’s Books, 220 Market St., Pittsboro; Free with book purchase; fearrington.com

Natural Colors Workshop – Sunday, 1:30-4:30pm – Explore the origins of natural colors, how we perceive them, what they mean to us and what we can create from them. Then, partake in a hands-on activity using natural pigments and other raw materials to make homemade paint and create your own painting! North Carolina Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd.; $45; ncbg.unc.edu

Salt and Smoke – Sunday, 3-6pm – Gather around the bonfire and celebrate fall in the South with live entertainment and tasty eats including oysters and barbeque. Rock Quarry Farm, 1700 NC Highway 54 West; $24-$60; acmecarrboro.com